Adam Bland secures European Tour Card after close finish in last weekend’s Australian PGA

ADELAIDE golfer Adam Bland will put the clubs down and map out his 2018 travel plans after finishing one shot away from victory in last week’s Australian PGA on the Gold Coast.

Lincoln Moore

The AdvertiserDecember 8, 20172:36pm

SOLID SEASON: Adam Bland in action during the Australian PGA at RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast. (AAP Image)Source:AAP

ADELAIDE golfer Adam Bland will put the clubs down and map out his 2018 travel plans after finishing one shot away from victory in last week’s Australian PGA at Royal Pines on the Gold Coast.

Bland finished third behind Queensland’s Cameron Smith placing him second on the 2017 PGA Tour Of Australasia Order of Merit.

That result meant securing a place on the lucrative European Tour next season.

Adam Bland of Australia lines up a putt during the 2017 Australian PGA.Source:Getty Images

“It was good result in the end,’’ Bland said.

“I feel I did a great job with everything on the line.

“I pretty much had to win or come second so I gave it my best shot and I was pretty happy with that result knowing I had to do it,’’ he said.

Bland had another solid season on the Japan Tour which included his third British Open start at Royal Birkdale and said a big finish on his home soil in Queensland last week was a nice reward.

“The British Open was definitely the highlight of the year, qualifying for that, with a little disappointment of not playing the greatest there.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been up there in a few events (in Australia) so it’s great to be able to have a really good season without winning,’’ he said.

Bland is now looking forward to some downtime with partner Bec and their children before working out where his European Tour Card will take him in 2018.

“I had planned to have my first tournament back on the 19th of January,’’ Bland added.

“But with the European Tour status I’ll have to sit down with Bec and have a look at the schedule and see where I can go from there

“I’ll definitely be taking a couple of weeks off and not touching the clubs,’’ he added.

Bland said getting a spot on the European Tour was a nice reward for another long golf season.

Adam Bland of Australia lines up a putt during the 2017 Australian PGA.Source:Getty Images

“It’s a huge opportunity,’’ Bland said.

“I think I’ll get around 20 starts, the same amount I’d play in Japan anyway.

“I’ll have to travel a bit more, Bec’s family is from the UK so that might mean family trip for them.

“I want complete at the highest level I can and to get this opportunity now really is a bonus.’’

Bland produced a solid four days of golf around Royal Pines, his two opening rounds of 66 had him tied at the top on Friday with world No. 13 Marc Leishman.

He fired a -1 under on Saturday before a closing round of 68 saw him one shot behind joint leaders Jordan Zunic and local Cameron Smith who prevailed on the second playoff hole.

Bland said he was well aware of what was at stake.

“I knew about three or four months ago, I got an email saying I was sitting in that spot so I was playing the last few events knowing that if I could maintain or improve my spot than I could have a chance of playing in Europe,’’ Bland said.

“And getting the chance to play a couple of World Gold Championship evens is massive.’’

“Hopefully I can tie some Japan events in with the European tour, Bec and I will work out how can fit it all in with the family.

“Trying to keep them happy and staying sane myself with all the travel.’’

“Hopefully we can spend some quality time over the next few and it warms up so we can get in the pool for a bit.’’